Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Sirles.
Hi Michelle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Rendleman Orchards is a fifth generation family farm in Alto Pass, Illinois, just a scenic drive from St. Louis. My husband and I are the fifth generation to run his family’s farm, where we grow tree ripened peaches, nectarines, apples, pumpkins and flowers. From early June through Halloween, visitors can enjoy our Farm Market, explore the orchard and fields, and experience a true Southern Illinois farm. Rendleman Orchards is a historic district on the national register of historic places, making it a very unique destination.
For those who want to stay a little longer, our new cottage farm stay offers a year round opportunity to slow down, enjoy the beauty of the orchard and experience farm life in a peaceful setting. We love welcoming St. Louis visitors who are looking for something beyond the typical day trip and want to make their visit to Southern Illinois a memorable farm getaway.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think a single farmer would ever say the road has been smooth, and our family is no exception. Over 153 years, we have experienced just about every challenge a family business can face.
Weather has always been one of our greatest risks, with crop losses caused by drought, freezes, storms and other unpredictable conditions. We have also navigated multiple recessions, including the Great Depression, as well as two major pandemics. We have faced sudden deaths, serious health crises and the financial uncertainty that comes with running a business where so much depends on what happens in a single growing season.
Then there is the challenge of being a family business. Working alongside multiple generations and family members can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be complicated, especially when the family not only works together but lives together. Business decisions can become personal, and generational differences in how you approach the future can create their own challenges.
The fact that we have made it to the fifth generation is something we never take for granted. Only about 1 percent of family owned businesses make it to the fifth generation. So yes, it has been far from a smooth road. But perhaps that is what makes the story worth telling. For more than 153 years, our family has continued to adapt, weather the difficult seasons, learn from the hard years and find a way to keep the farm moving forward.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Although I now consider Southern Illinois home, I am actually from St. Louis, born and raised. I came to Southern Illinois to attend SIU Carbondale, where I met my husband, and I have been here ever since. I graduated with a degree in graphic design, and interestingly, nearly every graphic design position I held before joining the family farm eventually moved me into marketing. 13 years ago, I brought those skills to Rendleman Orchards, grew my knowledge of marketing, and discovered a real passion for it.
Today, marketing and storytelling is what I am probably best known for at Rendleman Orchards. One of my biggest goals has been to expand the retail side of our business into a destination people intentionally seek out. My graphic design background has allowed me to approach that in a very creative way, developing attractions, events, experiences and a visual identity that feel authentic to who we are.
I have also been fortunate to build a strong circle of creative people around me. I have invested in working with other designers, photographers, writers, marketers and creative professionals, and they have not only helped our business, but continually inspire and challenge me creatively.
I think what sets Rendleman Orchards apart is that we are willing to be early adopters and try new things, but we are very intentional about it. We don’t do something simply because it is trendy or because we think it will generate revenue. We ask whether it makes sense for our farm, our customers and our industry, and whether it feels authentically like us. We are still a true working farm, while also finding new ways to invite people onto the property and connect them with agriculture.
Of everything we have accomplished, I am most proud of having Rendleman Orchards recognized as its own historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. It took three years of research, documentation and collaboration with an incredible team to make that happen.
That recognition means much more to me than simply having our name on a list. It places our farm on a national map and documents the role our family and this place have played in American agriculture for more than 150 years. It creates a permanent record of our history that future generations of our family can learn from and, hopefully, feel inspired to protect.
Ultimately, I think that is what I am most passionate about: finding ways to honor what generations before us built while making sure Rendleman Orchards continues to have a meaningful future. The National Register designation feels like a lasting piece of that legacy.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Rendleman Orchards is located just two hours from St. Louis Missouri. Our Farm sits among the Rolling Hills of Alto Pass, IL.
Alto Pass is a charming historic rural town that is also the heart of the Shawnee Wine Trail, as well as boasting a Boutique style speakeasy bourbon bar and Bald Knob Cross of Peace, a 111 foot high monument perched atop the highest point in southern Illinois. We are nestled in the Shawnee National Forest with incredible hiking, rock climbing, numerous lakes and other unique outdoor activities. This is a day trip or getaway that is truly both unexpected and unforgettable.
other nominations would include
Havisham Bourbon Bar
Bald Knob Cross
Alto Vineyards
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rendlemanorchards.com
- Instagram: @RendlemanOrchards
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/RendlemanOrchards
- Email: hello@rendlemanorchards.com
